Why do I need to be BORN AGAIN?

If you have grown up in the Church or have Christian friends, you have inevitably heard these two words “BORN AGAIN.”  It seems to be something “Christians do” or are called to do. If you ever wondered what it means or why should you, please continue reading as I like to clear up some misconceptions and misunderstanding about it. I am so surprised by how many Christians don’t know what it means and are not “born again” simply because they don’t know.

First and formost there is no distinction between Christian and born again Christian. There is only one kind of Christian, either you are born again or you are not Christian. You can be born in Christian family, attended church all your life, baptized, confirmed and be an outstanding person but you are not a Christian according to the Bible.  I know this will shock many of you but it is a fact. Here is what Jesus says in John 3,³ Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  We ( men) have created a religion system and we look at people as Christians, Hindu, Muslim, Atheist, Agnostics, Buddhist, etc. We identify people according to their religious beliefs. But, this is not how God sees us, He only sees us as sinners, men created in his image who was corrupted by sin. There is no other criteria for God, either you are saved by his blood or you are not. When sin entered the world, we lost the relationship & fellowship with God. That relationship had to be restored, and God, who is loving, merciful, and gracious is also perfect. Just had to create a way where a relationship can be reestablished. That way is JESUS. He shed his blood for us on the cross. He paid the punishment for our sins and by his sacrifice we have atonement of our sins. No matter what your religion is, when you come to a place where you realize, you are a sinner and you need a savior, you can be saved by the blood of Jesus. You may say, I am pretty good person, I am not like others  and you might be and most people are decent human being but when compared to standard set by God, we are like filthy rags. Here is what Paul tells us in Romans 9 ⁹ that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. It is just that simple. Being born again is merely restoring the spiritual connection with God. We are all dead spiritually until we are Born again. Our first birth is flesh and second birth is spiritual. Our spirit is what separates us from all the other animals. They can not worship God only we can. So let me illustrate my point, one day you look in the mirror, and you see you gaining weight, and you decide to do something about it. So that is your first decision, similarly as you going through life, you come to realization that you need a deeper connection with God. Secondly, you make the decision to join a gym or exercise, in the same fashion, you do your research and realize, Jesus is the way, and you pray the above prayer from Romans, at that point, you have your salvation if you genuinely believe in your heart. Now let me ask you a question,  are you in shape the first day you join the gym? NO. Same way, Christian walk takes practice. You must exercise the faith you confessed. Oh you will not know what to do at first and just like first day in Gym, you might be exhausted in few mins but overtime if you continue walking with Christ, you will develop strong faith.

Now, going back to my original question. Being born again has nothing to do with religion, but it has to do with faith. It is establishing a relationship with Christ. It is making a decision to walk with Christ and following him no matter what the circumstances are. This is not about changing religion or a whole bunch of rituals that some priest or pastor tells you, it is about believing in your heart. God only deals with HEART. Before you are born again, all you notice or focus on is the ABSENCE of God in your life, but once you accept him, you will only notice and concentrate on Presence of God in your life. You will see his power in every decision you make, every situation you are in. Folks, Jesus is the only way. He shed his blood for you. He hung on the cross for you. He rose on the third day as scripture says. This is not some fairy tale. It is a historical fact. Won’t you accept him today as your savior and make him a Lord of your Life?